The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-24
BLACkElLLE ASHES.
Two-Thirds of the Town Burned-The
Inhabitants in Want Of Food
and Clothing.

thirds OF tine town OF BlackYllle, In
cluding the entire business portion,
was destroyed by fire this afternoon.
The fire originated about l O'Clock
in rear of the general merchandise
store of P. W. Farrell, and before it
was discovered it had gained consld'
erable headway. The entire town
turned out and worked heroically,
but Notwithstanding their efforts in a
remarkable short time it had spread
to adjoining buildings, and in les
than half an hour almost the entire
town was one mass Of flames. In
two hours almost the entire town
East of the railroad was one mass OF
ashes, twenty.seven houses having
been consumed. The loss is estl'
mated at 100000; insurance about
$4,000. Many people are homeless
and without clothes or furniture, as
even what was put out Of the houses
was burned in the street, broken or
stolen, as the town was soon Tiled
with negroes from the country, who
helped some but plundered as well.
.rrrn -rrrr rr,,prprL, CoE
FLAGRATION.
Special Dispatch to the Neacs and Courier.
BLAcKv1L.E, March 1I.-No pen
can possibly portray the picture of
utter desolation that prevails here
tonight. At this hour, 9 ?. NJ,
deathlike stiffness pervades the en-
tire place. Every one has retired,
some in residences, many of those
having to sleep on naked floors,
while Others are resting in barns,
stables, &c. The inhabitants are so
much fatigued after their heroic work
all day yesterday and last night that
they are content to rest their weary
bodies in almost any place covered
by roof. Many have retired hun
CRY, there being g scarcity of food,
and with few exceptions they are
sleeping with no cover save the roofs
of the houses. One hundred and
twenty-five people are homeless and
without either clothing or food ofany
kind. They are certainly in a de-
plorable condition and need assist
ance at once. Anything in the line
of clothing, covering or food will be
acceptable. Those whose houses es-
capped the flames have done all in
their power to relieve the suffering of
others, having tEeir houses filed from
garret to cellar. But the houses are
so few they are unable TO hold all,
making it necessary for others to rest
in barns, &C., as above mentioned.
The entire portion Of the town
south of the railroad, with the excep.
ton of two or three small houses in
the extreme western portion, is one
mass of ashes. There only remain
some fifty or sixty chimneys stand
ing like tombstones to mark the last
resting place Of what was once known
as the thriving little town of Black
Vile. No wonder the inhabitants
are grieved, lor there was not more
thriving town along the whole line of
tue South Carolina Railway than
Blackville. Her merchants were pro-
g,essive and enterprising, and the
town was rapidly growing. But with
such merchants, although their hopes
are blighted for the present, with
some assistance from surrounding
towns and cities, I am confident they
will overcome present embarrassment
and in the course Of a few months
Blackville will be even larger than
before the fire swept away three
fourths Of the entire town, including
most of the business portion. Even
today, notwithstanding the suffering
Of many, tue matter ofrebuilding has
been discussed, and with only few
exceptions merchants have expressed
their determination to rebuild at once.
The general supposition today is
that the fire originated from a spark
from an engine alighting OF roof Of
?. W. Farrelrs store, which was soon
famed into blaze by the southeast
wind. Thus in q few minutes the
entire town was one mass Of flames.
People residing some distance south
Of the railway track came up to help
save goods from the stores, and while
absent, so quick did the flames spread,
their houses were consumed, they not
being able to save single garment.
Mrs. Haygood's house, 9 quarter of
q mile from where the fire started,
caught from sparks being carried
that distance by the gale and was
razed to the ground, together with
the outhouses, batns, &c.
Some few goods were carried out
of the stores on the east side, but